Prefabricated stringing for a sports racket

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to stringing for a racket for tennis, badminton or the like, consisting of individual, in each parallel transverse and longitudinal strings which are crossed in the manner of a linen weave to give a ready-made network and at the same time arranged spaced apart from one another and which have outwardly protruding, free, cut-off ends for individual fastening in a racket frame and are held in their mutual position by a removable aligning device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to stringing for a racket for tennis, badminton orthe like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

When stringing rackets for tennis, badminton or the like, use is made ofa string cord which is successively passed through the holes of theracket frame. Each individual section or length of string between twoholes is tightened individually by means of tightening devices,temporarily held firmly until the cord is passed over the frame on theoutside into the next hole, and then released. In this process, theracket is frequently turned so that the tightening device can beattached. In the end, the entire stringing consists of one or perhapstwo string cords. When the longitudinal strings have been fitted andtightened, the transverse strings must be passed through alternatelyover and under the longitudinal strings and likewise individuallytightened. Altogether, this takes a relatively long time.

It is furthermore known from published German Patent Application2,605,638, to use ready-made stringing, in which one or two string cordsare fitted directly as a preassembled network. The ends of each of theadjacent strings are brought together and form a loop which is suspendedin the racket frame by being pushed through an allocated hole and heldeither by a securing string extending around the frame, or the adjacentloop. This ready-made stringing can be used, however, only if thedimensions thereof exactly match those of the frame. In addition, it isunavoidable here that the strings assume, as a result of the loops, amore zigzag pattern at least during use and thereby might also losetension. For permanently fastening the strings in the racket frame withthese known types of stringing, the two free ends of each of the stringcords are knotted.

From European Patent 0,260,671 stringing is known in the form ofindividual strings which are successively fitted to the racket frame andtightened. These individual strings are each held in the racket frame bymeans of rivet sleeves, rivet heads bearing against the outer holes. Thesecuring of the ends of a string to the frame can also be effected bymeans of a wedge arrangement, as is known, for example, from publishedGerman Patent Application 3,034,285. However, a lot of time is requiredto fit and tighten the individual strings, and, as a result of passingthe strings over strings which are already tightened, the process ofstringing is awkward even for craftsmen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention therefore is to provide stringing which issuitable for any racket frame and considerably simplifies the workprocess on stringing.

In accordance with the present invention, a ready-made network comprisedof two generally transversely oriented arrays of parallel strings isprovided. This network permits stringing of a racket head, as in thecase of strings fitted individually to the racket frame, but without theneed for an elaborate threading-through of the individual strings. Inthe present invention, the strings for the stringing process are held intheir predetermined position with respect to one another by means of analigning device. In order to string a racket, the ready-made network canbe brought into the racket head, it being possible for the free stringends to be passed through the respective associated holes of the racketframe. The strings can then be tightened individually or in groups.Thus, up to the stringing itself no forces are transmitted to the frameitself, as a result of which the latter is not deformed. The individualstrings in the tightened state are secured in the holes of the frame bymeans of a wedge arrangement for instance, as is known from publishedGerman Patent Application 3,034,285. After loosening the tightener, theprotruding string ends are cut off and the aligning device is preferablyremoved if it has not become detached independently.

The aligning device employed for the strings may be an adhesive filmwhich extends over at least part of the network and adheres to thestrings in this region. A plastic film or sheet having a grooved networkwhich receives the strings may also be provided as an aligning device.As a further aligning device, use may be made of a fixing device for theindividual peripheral crossing points of the strings of the network. Forthis purpose connecting elements, for example grippers, which can beplaced on the crossing points may be provided. With these grippers, anadditional fixing of the crossing points in position may be achieved bylining up the grippers along a rail. Four rails linked via their cornerpoints are preferably provided for the four sides of the network. Thefixing of the peripheral crossing points may, however, also beaccomplished by means of inserted threads in the manner of a seam, itbeing possible to remove this seam easily by severing one thread. Analigning device of this type fixes the predetermined position oftransverse and longitudinal strings even when the ready-made network issubjected to compression and/or stretching, as a result of whichpackaging or storage of the network is simplified. The aligning deviceensures, after this temporary deformation, a return of the laid networkto its form for fitting in position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater detail below with referenceto the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows, in plan view, ready-made stringing having a firstembodiment of an aligning device.

FIG. 2 shows, in perspective and in detail, a second embodiment of analigning device for the stringing of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3a to 3c show, in plan view, ready-made stringing having a thirdembodiment of an aligning device.

FIG. 4 shows, diagrammatically in side view, a connecting element of thealigning device according to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows, diagrammatically in side view, a plurality of connectingelements according to FIG. 4 along a rail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

The stringing shown in FIG. 1 consists of a first array of substantiallyparallel strings 10, hereinafter the "longitudinal" strings, and asecond array of substantially parallel strings 12. The strings 12,hereinafter the "transverse" strings, are oriented generallytransversely with respect to the strings 10. Thus, the strings 10 and 12are arranged spaced apart from one another like warp and weft of a wovenfabric in linen weave and form a ready-made network 11. In thisarrangement, the longitudinal and transverse strings 10, 12 posses free,outwardly protruding ends 13 of a length such that trouble-freetightening is made possible. The stringing is of a size adaptable to thevarious racket sizes and can be manufactured inexpensively on machinessimilar to wire gauze looms.

An aligning device 14 is provided (cf. also FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) at leastover part of the area in which the longitudinal strings 10 and thetransverse strings 12 cross. This aligning device 14 preferably remainsin place until the individual strings 10, 12 of the network 11 have beenthreaded through holes in a racket frame and optionally until the stringends have been secured, to the frame. The aligning device 14 ispreferably designed so that it can be torn off.

Referring to FIG. 1, the aligning device 14 is, in a first exemplaryembodiment, of flat construction, in the form of an adhesive film whichcovers at least part of the network, it being possible optionally toarrange a protective film on the side opposite the holding device 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the aligning device 14 may, according to a secondembodiment, be constructed as a relatively flexible plastic film (oroptionally plastic sheet) which is provided with a network of impressedgrooves 15 corresponding to the network 11 of the stringing. The grooves15 have a width corresponding to the width of the longitudinal andtransverse strings 10, 12 and a depth at least equal to twice thethickness of the longitudinal and transverse strings 10 and 12, so thatthe stringing is completely received by the grooves 15 and preventedfrom falling out. In this case, too, a cover may optionally be providedfor the grooves 15.

If the stringing is too large for a racket, corresponding longitudinalor transverse strings 10, 12 can be readily removed. In the event thatthe stringing is too small for a racket, an additional string 10 or 12can also readily be inserted. Since the longitudinal strings 10 and alsothe transverse strings 12 in each case have the same length, which issomewhat greater than the longitudinal or transverse extent,respectively, of the frame, relatively short lengths of string materialcan also be used, which, when employing catgut as the string material,leads to a more efficient utilization of this material.

According to a third exemplary embodiment, the aligning device 14 maycomprise attachable distance pieces which are provided, for example, ona continuous ring. In FIG. 3a, these distance pieces are constructed asconnecting elements 20 which are placed on individual peripheralcrossing points 17 of the strings 10, 12 in order to fix the relativeposition of the strings 10, 12 by pressing them against one another inthe respective crossing point 17. This is intended in particular toprevent a fraying and/or a network-destroying slippage of the strings10, 12. The connecting elements 20 may be placed at varying intervalsonly on specific crossing points 17 in the peripheral region of thenetwork 11, but then in accordance with FIG. 3b preferably in the cornerregions 18 of the network 11. As shown in FIG. 3a, the connectingelements 20 are, however, preferably arranged on all crossing points 17along the outer periphery of the network 11.

Furthermore, the connecting elements 20 are preferably linked to oneanother, and in particular along one side of each network 11, so that,once selected, the relative position of the peripheral crossing points17 can be obtained again even after a deformation of the network 11. Asshown in FIG. 3c, the connecting elements 20 are for this purpose linedup along a rail 30 which spatially fixes the connecting elements 20 intheir mutual position, which is preferably effected with a clearance ofmovement.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of an individual connecting element 20 whichis constructed as a gripper which embraces the respective crossing point17. This gripper comprises a head part 21, on which arms 22 areresiliently formed. The head part 21 is preferably constructed with aneck 23 of smaller diameter, as a result of which suspension of thegrippers in the rail 30 is made possible. The number of the arms 22 isat least two, but preferably four. In this arrangement, the arms 22 arearranged spaced apart from one another, and to be precise in such a waythat one string 10, 12 in each case, of varying thickness, is able topass between each two arms 22. The arms 22 are in each case equippedwith mutually aligned hooks 24 at an end opposite the head, part 21.These hooks 24 in part define a gripper or string receiving space 25. Asclearly shown in FIG. 4, the hooks 24 comprise wedge-shaped projectionsof the arms 22. These projections have inwardly extending shoulders attheir junction with the ends of the arms. These shoulders define a firstend of the space 25, the opposite end of space 25 being defined by theneck 23.

FIG. 5 shows the above-described connecting elements 20, which aresuspended, spaced apart from one another, in a strip-shaped rail 30. Forthis purpose, the rail 30 has perforations 31, the diameter of which issmaller than the diameter of the head part 21 but greater than thediameter of the neck 23. As a result, the connecting element 20 isspatially fixed inside the perforation 31, but with a clearance ofmovement. The perforations 31 are arranged along the rail 30 atintervals corresponding to the chosen distances between each twolongitudinal or transverse strings 10, 12.

According to a further exemplary embodiment (not shown), the connectingelements 20 may be guided in the manner of suspension rollers in a railso as to be able to be locked and displaced to and fro, in order to beable to set variable distances between each two longitudinal ortransverse strings.

The above-described embodiments are only intended as examples. Withinthe context of the patent claims defining the invention, a personskilled in the art may envisage modifications, additions andsub-combinations on the basis of his specialist knowledge.

I claim:
 1. A prefabricated stringing for a sports racket comprising:afirst array of generally parallel strings; a second array of generallyparallel strings, the strings of the second array being orientedsubstantially transversely with respect to the strings of the firstarray, the strings of the first and second arrays being interwoven todefine a network of crossed strings wherein adjacent parallel stringsare spaced apart from one another, the strings of said network havingoutwardly protruding free ends for individual fastening in a racketframe; and aligning means for maintaining the orientation and spacing ofthe strings of the network prior to the insertion thereof in a racketframe, said aligning means comprising a plurality of individualconnecting elements, said connecting elements establishing contactbetween a string of each of said arrays at points where said strings ofsaid first and second arrays cross whereby relative movement between thecontacting strings is prevented when said aligning means are operativelyattached to said network, said connecting elements each comprising:ahead portion; and a plurality of resilient arms extending from said headportion, said arms having free ends and the strings between whichcontact is to be established passing between said free ends, whereby thestrings are captured at their crossing point in a space defined by saidhead portion and said arms.
 2. The stringing of claim 1 wherein thenetwork has a generally rectangular shape having peripheral corners andsaid connecting elements are provided at peripheral string crossingpoints located at the corners of said network.
 3. The stringing of claim1 wherein one of said connecting elements is provided at each peripheralcrossing point of the network.
 4. The stringing of claim 1 wherein saidarms are provided, on the free ends thereof, with generally wedge-shapedprojections, said projections defining shoulders which extend inwardlytoward a cooperating shoulder on an oppositely facing arm, saidshoulders defining means for capturing said strings said first andsecond arrays between said head portion and said shoulders.
 5. Thestringing of claim 4 wherein said connecting elements each include fourof said arms.
 6. The stringing of claim 5 wherein the network has agenerally rectangular shape having peripheral corners and saidconnecting elements are provided at peripheral string crossing pointslocated at the corners of said network.
 7. The stringing of claim 5wherein one of said connecting elements is provided at each crossingpoint of the network of the strings of the first and second arraysaround a periphery.
 8. The stringing of claim 4 wherein the network hasa generally rectangular shape, said connecting elements are disposedalong at least a first peripheral side of the network at peripheralstring crossings, and said stringing further comprises:rail meansinterconnecting said connecting elements which are disposed along saidfirst peripheral side of the network.
 9. The stringing of claim 8wherein said connecting elements are movable relative to said rail. 10.The stringing of claim 9 wherein said connecting elements include fourof said arms.
 11. The stringing of claim 1 wherein said connectingelements each include four of said arms.
 12. The stringing of claim 1wherein the network has a generally rectangular shape and the stringingfurther comprises:means interconnecting said connecting elements whichare disposed along at least a first peripheral side of network at theperipheral string crossings.
 13. The stringing of claim 12 wherein saidinterconnecting means comprises a rail.
 14. The stringing of claim 13wherein said connecting elements are movable relative to said rail.